Community Connect Grant Program
Limited submission
The Community Connect Grant offers funding for broadband expansion (100/20 Mbps) in underserved rural areas to boost economic development, education, and healthcare.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
Rural Utilities Service has archived this opportunity.
Funder: Rural Utilities Service
Due Dates: February 20, 2025 (Application window opens) | April 21, 2025, 11:59 a.m. ET (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $100,000–$5,000,000 per award; approx. $26 million total available; up to 3-year project period
Summary: Supports broadband deployment (100/20 Mbps) in rural, economically-challenged communities lacking adequate service, to drive economic, educational, and healthcare improvements.
Key Information: Matching funds required; only one application per applicant; projects must serve areas without existing 10/1 Mbps broadband.
Description
The Community Connect Grant Program provides competitive funding to support the construction of broadband networks in rural, economically-challenged communities where broadband service (defined as at least 10 Mbps download/1 Mbps upload) does not exist. The program aims to foster economic growth and deliver enhanced educational, healthcare, and public safety benefits by ensuring high-speed internet access (minimum 100 Mbps down/20 Mbps up) to all premises in the funded service area.
Priority is given to rural areas demonstrating the greatest need for broadband services. Projects must be “community-oriented,” including free broadband access for essential community facilities and a community center within the service area.
